Talking Businessly Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/talking-businessly We (John and Daniel) are co-founders of a small software development agency. This is a recording of our weekly "state of the company" call where we discuss the nitty gritty details of running our business day-to-day. Want to work with us? Reach out at thunk.dev MIT License. Do whatever you want. bcb3ac7e-54ac-5b38-9bdc-387de8960036 yes en Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:25:04 -0400 Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:25:33 -0400 https://podcast.thunk.dev https://img.transistorcdn.com/N4uvpunETglO1mByNgydddf4K3KObFU6Y_AyRuHnrcc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQ0MTE2LzE2OTIy/MTAyNjEtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Talking Businessly https://podcast.thunk.dev episodic Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler We (John and Daniel) are co-founders of a small software development agency. This is a recording of our weekly "state of the company" call where we discuss the nitty gritty details of running our business day-to-day. Want to work with us? Reach out at thunk.dev We (John and Daniel) are co-founders of a small software development agency. software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel Thunk.dev hello@thunk.dev No No 88: Setting pass/fail criteria on our projects 90 90 88: Setting pass/fail criteria on our projects full 33616fab-5f9e-401f-87af-d6e17178a924 https://share.transistor.fm/s/79624ce1 Laracon.EU was a blast. We continue to develop the sales funnel. We need to know whether our growth plans are actually working. So we set some simple goals for the next 6 weeks.

]]> Laracon.EU was a blast. We continue to develop the sales funnel. We need to know whether our growth plans are actually working. So we set some simple goals for the next 6 weeks.

]]> Sat, 14 Mar 2026 17:25:04 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2971 Laracon.EU was a blast. We continue to develop the sales funnel. We need to know whether our growth plans are actually working. So we set some simple goals for the next 6 weeks.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 87: tidyup.agency 89 89 87: tidyup.agency full 07eed3aa-f28d-4cd6-9cc3-2c33c075962d https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc788737 We have quietly launched our client management app. It has invoices, agreements, schedules, time sheets, reports, and more. We'll be doing a full marketing blitz soon. Daniel has been cooking up an extremely cool AI feature.

]]> We have quietly launched our client management app. It has invoices, agreements, schedules, time sheets, reports, and more. We'll be doing a full marketing blitz soon. Daniel has been cooking up an extremely cool AI feature.

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:04:09 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2074 We have quietly launched our client management app. It has invoices, agreements, schedules, time sheets, reports, and more. We'll be doing a full marketing blitz soon. Daniel has been cooking up an extremely cool AI feature.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 86: Holacracy, if you can keep it 88 88 86: Holacracy, if you can keep it full ce0ea0dc-d881-4327-9c6f-057985c56cfb https://share.transistor.fm/s/ea514449 John went on a Claude frenzy, and Kapow is nearly here. We reach out to bankers and learn a little bit about how their world works. John believes in benevolent dictatorships more than "flat organizations."

]]> John went on a Claude frenzy, and Kapow is nearly here. We reach out to bankers and learn a little bit about how their world works. John believes in benevolent dictatorships more than "flat organizations."

]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:08:28 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2212 John went on a Claude frenzy, and Kapow is nearly here. We reach out to bankers and learn a little bit about how their world works. John believes in benevolent dictatorships more than "flat organizations."

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 85: Our billion dollar theory of the future 87 87 85: Our billion dollar theory of the future full 90fbb0b7-2ab1-4b02-a0c1-7d257e2a2db4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/590e129d It feels like there's a dark cloud over web development right now. So where does Thunk fit into the future, and how do we win? We lay it all out here.

]]> It feels like there's a dark cloud over web development right now. So where does Thunk fit into the future, and how do we win? We lay it all out here.

]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:19:23 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3097 It feels like there's a dark cloud over web development right now. So where does Thunk fit into the future, and how do we win? We lay it all out here.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 84: You are here 86 86 84: You are here full bb7073bf-9e48-4e98-bdd4-b91c3954bd32 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ac1026bd We had a very bad week. In related news, we are looking for a new client.

]]> We had a very bad week. In related news, we are looking for a new client.

]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:23:27 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2596 We had a very bad week. In related news, we are looking for a new client.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 83: Do a good job ™ 85 85 83: Do a good job ™ full fc4e54e1-eaaa-434a-b740-d6b96c8a710d https://share.transistor.fm/s/1b9e1074 Our goal for 2026 is to do a good job. John wants to start doing some serious, long term business development. 

]]> Our goal for 2026 is to do a good job. John wants to start doing some serious, long term business development. 

]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:32:33 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2355 Our goal for 2026 is to do a good job. John wants to start doing some serious, long term business development. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 82: AI fatigue 84 84 82: AI fatigue full 46ff1ae3-a26b-472d-bf42-6d92f6d3348d https://share.transistor.fm/s/d8af687c We gave ourselves raises. John is weary of AI. Daniel is using Claude skills. 

]]> We gave ourselves raises. John is weary of AI. Daniel is using Claude skills. 

]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:57:28 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2602 We gave ourselves raises. John is weary of AI. Daniel is using Claude skills. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 81: We set up pay bands 83 83 81: We set up pay bands full 3a3a9776-a6eb-4821-90c4-54b74fcaaeb2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4ce3408c We hired someone. We set up standardized pay bands. We discuss how we use AI, and what makes a bad AI-driven pull request. We like Three Body Problem. John sang in choir. 

]]> We hired someone. We set up standardized pay bands. We discuss how we use AI, and what makes a bad AI-driven pull request. We like Three Body Problem. John sang in choir. 

]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:13:43 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2523 We hired someone. We set up standardized pay bands. We discuss how we use AI, and what makes a bad AI-driven pull request. We like Three Body Problem. John sang in choir. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 80: Late fees are unenforceable 82 82 80: Late fees are unenforceable full a9c666fe-90ec-46ee-8640-33e9ffb84eae https://share.transistor.fm/s/2508bb68 Marketing works. Late fees don't. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We review our OKRs and cash situation. John has more mic issues.

]]> Marketing works. Late fees don't. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We review our OKRs and cash situation. John has more mic issues.

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:02:46 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2724 Marketing works. Late fees don't. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We review our OKRs and cash situation. John has more mic issues.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 79: The wire:live retro (empaneling Caleb Porzio) 81 81 79: The wire:live retro (empaneling Caleb Porzio) full 510c852e-3dea-483e-87fd-feccbb26e673 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a05f10a6 Our dear friend Caleb Porzio drops by for some laughs, and a retrospective on Wire:live. We discuss what went well, what could improve, and what we'll do differently next time.

]]> Our dear friend Caleb Porzio drops by for some laughs, and a retrospective on Wire:live. We discuss what went well, what could improve, and what we'll do differently next time.

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:37:01 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4508 Our dear friend Caleb Porzio drops by for some laughs, and a retrospective on Wire:live. We discuss what went well, what could improve, and what we'll do differently next time.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 78: Empaneling Matt Stauffer 80 80 78: Empaneling Matt Stauffer full 3426a376-1fde-4c09-b7be-292163580abe https://share.transistor.fm/s/20a6300c Matt runs Tighten, and is a kind of big brother to us. We ask him about running agencies, building teams, hiring senior developers, and a lot more. Watch his new Laracast series "How to Build a Dev Team" now. 

]]> Matt runs Tighten, and is a kind of big brother to us. We ask him about running agencies, building teams, hiring senior developers, and a lot more. Watch his new Laracast series "How to Build a Dev Team" now. 

]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:36:45 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3214 Matt runs Tighten, and is a kind of big brother to us. We ask him about running agencies, building teams, hiring senior developers, and a lot more. Watch his new Laracast series "How to Build a Dev Team" now. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 77: Silly season takes no prisoners 79 79 77: Silly season takes no prisoners full 1c893632-8d20-409b-9dd3-87775e1ca992 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b0d77165 Our biggest client had a problem. We tried to get out in front of it, with mixed success. Here's what we learned. Join the new social game here. Listen to John's clickbait episode about it here. 

]]> Our biggest client had a problem. We tried to get out in front of it, with mixed success. Here's what we learned. Join the new social game here. Listen to John's clickbait episode about it here. 

]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:05:27 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2533 Our biggest client had a problem. We tried to get out in front of it, with mixed success. Here's what we learned. Join the new social game here. Listen to John's clickbait episode about it here. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 76: Pitching our next conference talks 78 78 76: Pitching our next conference talks full bb8bca52-6dc3-4778-ab2b-5e8f6108ebfd https://share.transistor.fm/s/078c31f8 We are busy as heck, with more work coming in. Forge launches this week. Wire:live is filling up fast. Listen to John's new game podcast. We brainstorm the next conference talks we want to give.

]]> We are busy as heck, with more work coming in. Forge launches this week. Wire:live is filling up fast. Listen to John's new game podcast. We brainstorm the next conference talks we want to give.

]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:12:04 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3678 We are busy as heck, with more work coming in. Forge launches this week. Wire:live is filling up fast. Listen to John's new game podcast. We brainstorm the next conference talks we want to give.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 75: The good kind of scary 77 77 75: The good kind of scary full 5b4b6bba-ba2c-4702-b8f2-45fc5866ba65 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f1c83113 We're at an exciting but scary inflection point as a company. Wire:live is filling up fast! John is sad about the internet, but excited about real life. Daniel likes Billy Joel.

]]> We're at an exciting but scary inflection point as a company. Wire:live is filling up fast! John is sad about the internet, but excited about real life. Daniel likes Billy Joel.

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:56:57 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2337 We're at an exciting but scary inflection point as a company. Wire:live is filling up fast! John is sad about the internet, but excited about real life. Daniel likes Billy Joel.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 74: Radical truth telling 76 76 74: Radical truth telling full a59cf80b-8c7a-4a7e-af3a-85d915e2f808 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ae7da532 We landed a big client, and things are heating up. We learned once again that telling the truth and being candid is the best path. 

]]> We landed a big client, and things are heating up. We learned once again that telling the truth and being candid is the best path. 

]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:16:52 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2484 We landed a big client, and things are heating up. We learned once again that telling the truth and being candid is the best path. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 73: Be a sustainable business 75 75 73: Be a sustainable business full 43ef9ffa-e158-42f7-86b1-58fc3b66958b https://share.transistor.fm/s/3bb28e11 We finally talk about our OKRs for the remainder of the year.

]]> We finally talk about our OKRs for the remainder of the year.

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:55:24 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3182 We finally talk about our OKRs for the remainder of the year.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 72: wire:live 74 74 72: wire:live full 3afe93a2-76d7-41f1-bc25-ff5399b75c1a https://share.transistor.fm/s/cb268d89 Wire:live in Buffalo October 28. Get your tickets today! We had some technical difficulties, and weren't even sure if it was recording, so this one is all over the place. Spicy takes, jack booted thugs, A24, Weapons, video games, and restaurants. 

]]> Wire:live in Buffalo October 28. Get your tickets today! We had some technical difficulties, and weren't even sure if it was recording, so this one is all over the place. Spicy takes, jack booted thugs, A24, Weapons, video games, and restaurants. 

]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:40:09 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3871 Wire:live in Buffalo October 28. Get your tickets today! We had some technical difficulties, and weren't even sure if it was recording, so this one is all over the place. Spicy takes, jack booted thugs, A24, Weapons, video games, and restaurants. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 71: No dogs, no ponies 73 73 71: No dogs, no ponies full 1f506150-5e73-40bf-b5c0-5091119e24bb https://share.transistor.fm/s/3df462ff We are streamers now. Kapow now has a client portal. John has a new podcast. We had another accounting / tax crisis that has driven us to the edge of sanity.

]]> We are streamers now. Kapow now has a client portal. John has a new podcast. We had another accounting / tax crisis that has driven us to the edge of sanity.

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:00:29 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3781 We are streamers now. Kapow now has a client portal. John has a new podcast. We had another accounting / tax crisis that has driven us to the edge of sanity.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 70: A deeply unserious Laracon recap 72 72 70: A deeply unserious Laracon recap full 90170767-d7b6-4dc8-91a1-e10baf351192 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c275f93e If you're looking for that incisive, smart business insight, go ahead and skip this one. We talk dogs, Laracon, John's talk, Laravel Forge, the upcoming Livewire conference, game design, The Social Game, a video John's obsessed with, and Rust (the video game).

]]> If you're looking for that incisive, smart business insight, go ahead and skip this one. We talk dogs, Laracon, John's talk, Laravel Forge, the upcoming Livewire conference, game design, The Social Game, a video John's obsessed with, and Rust (the video game).

]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:44:28 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2874 If you're looking for that incisive, smart business insight, go ahead and skip this one. We talk dogs, Laracon, John's talk, Laravel Forge, the upcoming Livewire conference, game design, The Social Game, a video John's obsessed with, and Rust (the video game).

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 69: We'd be richer if we lied more 71 71 69: We'd be richer if we lied more full 0c7b68e6-0553-42ce-b00e-dfe7444a45e7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4415dc00 We discuss the Beatles. Daniel reviewed John's code on the Social Game. Finally, we lost a proposal for a big contract. We wonder if the entire RFP process is antithetical to what we do.

]]> We discuss the Beatles. Daniel reviewed John's code on the Social Game. Finally, we lost a proposal for a big contract. We wonder if the entire RFP process is antithetical to what we do.

]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:24:12 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2622 We discuss the Beatles. Daniel reviewed John's code on the Social Game. Finally, we lost a proposal for a big contract. We wonder if the entire RFP process is antithetical to what we do.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 68: The pitch to the "lower middle market" 70 70 68: The pitch to the "lower middle market" full 78b7ddcd-b05d-4012-b77c-2d4f42255984 https://share.transistor.fm/s/15c43452 Daniel and Chris are nearly done with Verbs 1.0. We settle into our new roles. John prepares another talk directed at non-tech companies. Finally, we think through what we want the business to look like at the end of the year. And we recap where we are with Kapow.

]]> Daniel and Chris are nearly done with Verbs 1.0. We settle into our new roles. John prepares another talk directed at non-tech companies. Finally, we think through what we want the business to look like at the end of the year. And we recap where we are with Kapow.

]]> Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:47:00 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3397 Daniel and Chris are nearly done with Verbs 1.0. We settle into our new roles. John prepares another talk directed at non-tech companies. Finally, we think through what we want the business to look like at the end of the year. And we recap where we are with Kapow.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 67: We fire Daniel (from project management) 69 69 67: We fire Daniel (from project management) full 00564423-586e-4de0-9853-786800bc30f7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/17419c8c We played the Social Game a lot, and it's so cool. Daniel is not going to do project management at Thunk anymore, and we brainstorm how we backfill for him. Finally, we review our OKRs for the first half of the year.

]]> We played the Social Game a lot, and it's so cool. Daniel is not going to do project management at Thunk anymore, and we brainstorm how we backfill for him. Finally, we review our OKRs for the first half of the year.

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:49:20 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3612 We played the Social Game a lot, and it's so cool. Daniel is not going to do project management at Thunk anymore, and we brainstorm how we backfill for him. Finally, we review our OKRs for the first half of the year.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 66: Empaneling Erin Antcliffe 68 68 66: Empaneling Erin Antcliffe full 36d69ab2-68e0-4c19-849f-4d74bc7a0435 https://share.transistor.fm/s/13382901 Erin is an outstanding product manager who is fairly new to the agency world. She shares her feedback on our process. We brainstorm how to position and sell our product management services. 

]]> Erin is an outstanding product manager who is fairly new to the agency world. She shares her feedback on our process. We brainstorm how to position and sell our product management services. 

]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:46:55 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4348 Erin is an outstanding product manager who is fairly new to the agency world. She shares her feedback on our process. We brainstorm how to position and sell our product management services. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 65: Being uncomfortably explicit 67 67 65: Being uncomfortably explicit full ccdeec05-e4f5-48e2-86b5-4a7822692cf3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/85f086ac Daniel got a 3D printer. John got a new iPhone that he feels meh about. We are feeling out how to consult when there are issues way outside of our control. Getting uncomfortably explicit is awkward in the moment, but makes everyone happy later. John has a wild story about Emily Belz's article. 

]]> Daniel got a 3D printer. John got a new iPhone that he feels meh about. We are feeling out how to consult when there are issues way outside of our control. Getting uncomfortably explicit is awkward in the moment, but makes everyone happy later. John has a wild story about Emily Belz's article. 

]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:43:56 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2176 Daniel got a 3D printer. John got a new iPhone that he feels meh about. We are feeling out how to consult when there are issues way outside of our control. Getting uncomfortably explicit is awkward in the moment, but makes everyone happy later. John has a wild story about Emily Belz's article. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 64: Kapow! 66 66 64: Kapow! full c51da329-793e-439a-8a3d-d011b8861241 https://share.transistor.fm/s/36f992bb We hung out in Philly and had a little role reversal. Chill clients abound. The sales funnel is decent. We talk about who Kapow is really for, and brainstorm what features are next. 

]]> We hung out in Philly and had a little role reversal. Chill clients abound. The sales funnel is decent. We talk about who Kapow is really for, and brainstorm what features are next. 

]]> Tue, 27 May 2025 13:56:20 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3576 We hung out in Philly and had a little role reversal. Chill clients abound. The sales funnel is decent. We talk about who Kapow is really for, and brainstorm what features are next. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 63: We sent invoices from the client app 65 65 63: We sent invoices from the client app full ef9fa43a-86fb-4607-a67f-c76bb1c5f890 https://share.transistor.fm/s/10a845d3 Spring is here, and the boys are out frolicking. We sent our first invoices from the client app. The Laracon game is going to be its own company. Clothing sizes are a lie. 

]]> Spring is here, and the boys are out frolicking. We sent our first invoices from the client app. The Laracon game is going to be its own company. Clothing sizes are a lie. 

]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 15:32:47 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 1683 Spring is here, and the boys are out frolicking. We sent our first invoices from the client app. The Laracon game is going to be its own company. Clothing sizes are a lie. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 62: Useful anxiety 64 64 62: Useful anxiety full 97a578d3-6c76-45eb-b80c-5a9ab35c81bc https://share.transistor.fm/s/d26db9a9 We watched a lot of movies, and gambled a little. We are deep into silly season, and talk about our relationship with anxiety. Finally, we talk about politics and urbanism again. 

]]> We watched a lot of movies, and gambled a little. We are deep into silly season, and talk about our relationship with anxiety. Finally, we talk about politics and urbanism again. 

]]> Mon, 05 May 2025 14:25:32 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2569 We watched a lot of movies, and gambled a little. We are deep into silly season, and talk about our relationship with anxiety. Finally, we talk about politics and urbanism again. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 61: Empaneling Ian Landsman 62 62 61: Empaneling Ian Landsman full 58d0cd14-6e45-49c6-b96b-7bb161ff4141 https://share.transistor.fm/s/62ec2597 We are now a professional podcast. Ian Landsman gives us some feedback on our goals, and our new client app. He is smart. And we don't talk about poker even once! 

]]> We are now a professional podcast. Ian Landsman gives us some feedback on our goals, and our new client app. He is smart. And we don't talk about poker even once! 

]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:06:37 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4735 We are now a professional podcast. Ian Landsman gives us some feedback on our goals, and our new client app. He is smart. And we don't talk about poker even once! 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 60: Our biggest client yet 61 61 60: Our biggest client yet full d212f1f6-fd24-4efb-a243-da1ef7f657bb https://share.transistor.fm/s/c14acd41 John got star struck on Easter. Daniel got a new couch. We got a big new client. John is working nights and weekends on the Laracon game, and it's awesome. Daniel is working on the client app. We review OKRs.

]]> John got star struck on Easter. Daniel got a new couch. We got a big new client. John is working nights and weekends on the Laracon game, and it's awesome. Daniel is working on the client app. We review OKRs.

]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:11:30 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2872 John got star struck on Easter. Daniel got a new couch. We got a big new client. John is working nights and weekends on the Laracon game, and it's awesome. Daniel is working on the client app. We review OKRs.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 59: We lost a client for good reasons 60 60 59: We lost a client for good reasons full 3cc33d4b-b0f6-4f3d-9c55-425472be9a8c https://share.transistor.fm/s/a76ffb2c John is locked in, and made a playlist so you can lock in too. We are in silly season, but we have an excellent new PM who will get us through. We lost a client, but for good reasons. We recap what we learned. John is grinding on the new game, and Daniel gives technical guidance. We try to diagnose what's wrong with tv writing. The Iranian film maker John couldn't remember is Kiarostami. Here's a funny scene from Hail Caesar. 

]]> John is locked in, and made a playlist so you can lock in too. We are in silly season, but we have an excellent new PM who will get us through. We lost a client, but for good reasons. We recap what we learned. John is grinding on the new game, and Daniel gives technical guidance. We try to diagnose what's wrong with tv writing. The Iranian film maker John couldn't remember is Kiarostami. Here's a funny scene from Hail Caesar. 

]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:39:13 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3576 John is locked in, and made a playlist so you can lock in too. We are in silly season, but we have an excellent new PM who will get us through. We lost a client, but for good reasons. We recap what we learned. John is grinding on the new game, and Daniel gives technical guidance. We try to diagnose what's wrong with tv writing. The Iranian film maker John couldn't remember is Kiarostami. Here's a funny scene from Hail Caesar. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 58: Finding the real decision maker 59 59 58: Finding the real decision maker full 6a309d84-7256-4651-9384-5c2001ce537d https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c1478eb John's Macbook air is having problems. We made a bonus episode. We have a new trick for finding the decision maker at a prospective client. Always negotiate. We LOVE Adolescence. Finally, we talk politics :(

]]> John's Macbook air is having problems. We made a bonus episode. We have a new trick for finding the decision maker at a prospective client. Always negotiate. We LOVE Adolescence. Finally, we talk politics :(

]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:12:57 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2300 John's Macbook air is having problems. We made a bonus episode. We have a new trick for finding the decision maker at a prospective client. Always negotiate. We LOVE Adolescence. Finally, we talk politics :(

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No Bonus Episode: PHP × NYC Chaos-Cast™ 58 58 Bonus Episode: PHP × NYC Chaos-Cast™ full b194bfb8-49d8-45c1-a908-8525894cbab8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/db571d85 At a PHP x NYC event, we realized we had a critical mass of Laravel podcasters. Apologies for the audio problems. 

]]> At a PHP x NYC event, we realized we had a critical mass of Laravel podcasters. Apologies for the audio problems. 

]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4281 At a PHP x NYC event, we realized we had a critical mass of Laravel podcasters. Apologies for the audio problems. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 57: Sunsetting Papercuts 57 57 57: Sunsetting Papercuts full 616e0169-56a7-4224-80a6-74f9f9f9c9d9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8f6b04c4 Spring is here. John was on the Over Engineered podcast to discuss running product processes on small teams. We are sunsetting Papercuts. We do a quick retro about why, and what we learned. John did a heroic refactor on the new client app. Daniel is making home improvements

]]> Spring is here. John was on the Over Engineered podcast to discuss running product processes on small teams. We are sunsetting Papercuts. We do a quick retro about why, and what we learned. John did a heroic refactor on the new client app. Daniel is making home improvements

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:25:13 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2207 Spring is here. John was on the Over Engineered podcast to discuss running product processes on small teams. We are sunsetting Papercuts. We do a quick retro about why, and what we learned. John did a heroic refactor on the new client app. Daniel is making home improvements

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 56: Chunks of work 56 56 56: Chunks of work full 590e4655-e22d-4a10-a90d-848464bcb6b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5fc3b20a John got married. We got paid by a delinquent client. John spoke at PHP x Philly. The client management app is getting really good, which can now invoice clients. Finally, John thinks tv is maybe bad.

]]> John got married. We got paid by a delinquent client. John spoke at PHP x Philly. The client management app is getting really good, which can now invoice clients. Finally, John thinks tv is maybe bad.

]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:34:55 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2037 John got married. We got paid by a delinquent client. John spoke at PHP x Philly. The client management app is getting really good, which can now invoice clients. Finally, John thinks tv is maybe bad.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 55: Vertical Slices 55 55 55: Vertical Slices full f514809b-20f3-4ffd-afc4-426e1a439c28 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cfab123a You need to build vertically, not horizontally.

Also: Point Break is a good movie (Broey Deschanel's analysis). We helped a client dismiss a scammy wordpress agency. Squarespace is good. Daniel bought a suit. John is making a DJ set, and thanks Daniel for being the reason he learned to do that.

]]> You need to build vertically, not horizontally.

Also: Point Break is a good movie (Broey Deschanel's analysis). We helped a client dismiss a scammy wordpress agency. Squarespace is good. Daniel bought a suit. John is making a DJ set, and thanks Daniel for being the reason he learned to do that.

]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:34:02 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3419 You need to build vertically, not horizontally.

Also: Point Break is a good movie (Broey Deschanel's analysis). We helped a client dismiss a scammy wordpress agency. Squarespace is good. Daniel bought a suit. John is making a DJ set, and thanks Daniel for being the reason he learned to do that.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 54: Building without a blueprint 54 54 54: Building without a blueprint full f5883ecd-a1df-4cac-b35d-2cb522446580 https://share.transistor.fm/s/10863889 Why do old special effects look good? Pennsylvania needs better websites. John wants to speak a lot more. We are building our PM business, but don't have an obvious blueprint to follow. 

]]> Why do old special effects look good? Pennsylvania needs better websites. John wants to speak a lot more. We are building our PM business, but don't have an obvious blueprint to follow. 

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:29:47 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2701 Why do old special effects look good? Pennsylvania needs better websites. John wants to speak a lot more. We are building our PM business, but don't have an obvious blueprint to follow. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 53: Be a great place to work (empaneling Bossman Chris) 53 53 53: Be a great place to work (empaneling Bossman Chris) full c5f4d55c-6c22-47de-a28c-e9d9f593f74c https://share.transistor.fm/s/4e307749 We empanel Bossman Chris. Daniel and Chris survived Philly's Super Bowl celebration. We recap Laracon EU, and give high praise to Amsterdam. Chris counsels us on how to be a great place to work.

]]> We empanel Bossman Chris. Daniel and Chris survived Philly's Super Bowl celebration. We recap Laracon EU, and give high praise to Amsterdam. Chris counsels us on how to be a great place to work.

]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:56:11 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4703 We empanel Bossman Chris. Daniel and Chris survived Philly's Super Bowl celebration. We recap Laracon EU, and give high praise to Amsterdam. Chris counsels us on how to be a great place to work.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 52: Coaching clients to have more urgency 52 52 52: Coaching clients to have more urgency full 5ed383af-8e52-4938-815a-a90a75af3edb https://share.transistor.fm/s/a9996aa7 We talk retro video games. Daniel is wiring up his whole home. John preps for his Laracon talk. We recap what we learned from an uncomfortable client moment. We finalize our OKRs. John was on Joe Tannenbaum's podcast talking about games. John talks about doing jiu jitsu against the Dutch. 

]]> We talk retro video games. Daniel is wiring up his whole home. John preps for his Laracon talk. We recap what we learned from an uncomfortable client moment. We finalize our OKRs. John was on Joe Tannenbaum's podcast talking about games. John talks about doing jiu jitsu against the Dutch. 

]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:45:30 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3459 We talk retro video games. Daniel is wiring up his whole home. John preps for his Laracon talk. We recap what we learned from an uncomfortable client moment. We finalize our OKRs. John was on Joe Tannenbaum's podcast talking about games. John talks about doing jiu jitsu against the Dutch. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 51: John built the client management app 🤫 51 51 51: John built the client management app 🤫 full c0ec85c6-fe17-4b68-9aaa-9138944734db https://share.transistor.fm/s/c9212d19 John built the MVP client app! Daniel watched Survivor. We brainstorm what we want out of our 2025 OKRs. 

]]> John built the MVP client app! Daniel watched Survivor. We brainstorm what we want out of our 2025 OKRs. 

]]> Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:09:03 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2575 John built the MVP client app! Daniel watched Survivor. We brainstorm what we want out of our 2025 OKRs. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 50: Growing our product team 50 50 50: Growing our product team full 682935ec-f935-4b2a-aa0b-3dc7d91833ef https://share.transistor.fm/s/46ee8fb5 We talk about how it will work to have another PM around, the paradox of project scoping, good interview questions, and the power of learning from retros. On a less businessly note, we also talk Survivor, Pecking Order, gas leaks, soothing YouTube videos, cable management, and trying to feed our notes into ChatGPT.

]]> We talk about how it will work to have another PM around, the paradox of project scoping, good interview questions, and the power of learning from retros. On a less businessly note, we also talk Survivor, Pecking Order, gas leaks, soothing YouTube videos, cable management, and trying to feed our notes into ChatGPT.

]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:12:22 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3043 We talk about how it will work to have another PM around, the paradox of project scoping, good interview questions, and the power of learning from retros. On a less businessly note, we also talk Survivor, Pecking Order, gas leaks, soothing YouTube videos, cable management, and trying to feed our notes into ChatGPT.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 49: What does success look like in 2025? 49 49 49: What does success look like in 2025? full b4cb19f3-5ee7-4158-b443-f8cd812eec72 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e66d23b1 We do a little vision casting for what a great year would look like. We have some disagreements about sales, plan to remove ourselves as individual contributors from many clients, and to get better at scheduling / planning. 

]]> We do a little vision casting for what a great year would look like. We have some disagreements about sales, plan to remove ourselves as individual contributors from many clients, and to get better at scheduling / planning. 

]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:50:51 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2629 We do a little vision casting for what a great year would look like. We have some disagreements about sales, plan to remove ourselves as individual contributors from many clients, and to get better at scheduling / planning. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 48: Holiday party 48 48 48: Holiday party full acfea5c0-b59f-45d0-8c0b-475e827e671e https://share.transistor.fm/s/2351cf96 Daniel is moving, and we have some business logistics to figure out. We want to hire a junior PM. We do a roundup of our OKR results. We also talk game of the year, John is about to release a digital game, and get into the weeds testing a board game.

]]> Daniel is moving, and we have some business logistics to figure out. We want to hire a junior PM. We do a roundup of our OKR results. We also talk game of the year, John is about to release a digital game, and get into the weeds testing a board game.

]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:17:06 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4053 Daniel is moving, and we have some business logistics to figure out. We want to hire a junior PM. We do a roundup of our OKR results. We also talk game of the year, John is about to release a digital game, and get into the weeds testing a board game.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 47: Killing Harvest 47 47 47: Killing Harvest full 2444b956-45a9-4dc7-b3f7-026ab468f8cd https://share.transistor.fm/s/21bda695 John saw Hamilton. Daniel is moving. We are finally building the client management app that we've long resisted. We talk through the requirements and speak ill of Harvest.

]]> John saw Hamilton. Daniel is moving. We are finally building the client management app that we've long resisted. We talk through the requirements and speak ill of Harvest.

]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:55:33 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3566 John saw Hamilton. Daniel is moving. We are finally building the client management app that we've long resisted. We talk through the requirements and speak ill of Harvest.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 46: We want to buy your business (maybe) 46 46 46: We want to buy your business (maybe) full b488dc52-12a4-4ac9-bb3f-ec6f8fb16b59 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e56b788 We watched good movies this weekend. We re-learn that good management is mostly about un-blocking people. John's journey into React led him back to Livewire and Alpine. John is speaking at PHP x NYC. And finally, we discuss the (probably terrible) idea of buying a small business / product. 

]]> We watched good movies this weekend. We re-learn that good management is mostly about un-blocking people. John's journey into React led him back to Livewire and Alpine. John is speaking at PHP x NYC. And finally, we discuss the (probably terrible) idea of buying a small business / product. 

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:37:58 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3065 We watched good movies this weekend. We re-learn that good management is mostly about un-blocking people. John's journey into React led him back to Livewire and Alpine. John is speaking at PHP x NYC. And finally, we discuss the (probably terrible) idea of buying a small business / product. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 45: The client onboarding checklist 45 45 45: The client onboarding checklist full 9430c5ad-562e-44cf-93d8-8d907f126f08 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d5e37d29 Daniel played Colossi. We make a checklist of all the things that have to happen when we bring on a new client. Thunk wants to buy a small business??

]]> Daniel played Colossi. We make a checklist of all the things that have to happen when we bring on a new client. Thunk wants to buy a small business??

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:14:10 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2125 Daniel played Colossi. We make a checklist of all the things that have to happen when we bring on a new client. Thunk wants to buy a small business??

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 44: Clarifying roles for Silly Season v2 44 44 44: Clarifying roles for Silly Season v2 full 4b936765-e5be-4457-87f7-ca6ae190ff4d https://share.transistor.fm/s/f51aa96c John went jet skiing at the Statue of Liberty. We love Bluesky. Tech bros keep getting one-shot by psychedelics. Business is great right now. We clarify our roles, headed into silly season. Daniel dreams up where Verbs will go in the long run.

]]> John went jet skiing at the Statue of Liberty. We love Bluesky. Tech bros keep getting one-shot by psychedelics. Business is great right now. We clarify our roles, headed into silly season. Daniel dreams up where Verbs will go in the long run.

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 13:41:24 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4028 John went jet skiing at the Statue of Liberty. We love Bluesky. Tech bros keep getting one-shot by psychedelics. Business is great right now. We clarify our roles, headed into silly season. Daniel dreams up where Verbs will go in the long run.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 43: Getting personal about working styles 43 43 43: Getting personal about working styles full 1c9b0ada-7345-41a6-8489-04862f6cf7fa https://share.transistor.fm/s/33de1da5 John used to be a choir boy. We remember being terrible at college, and wish we could have a second try. We talk working styles, and where we could do better. John brings up some important feedback from recent retros about how we work. John is writing a game in React! Daniel still insists that John start playing Deadlock. 

]]> John used to be a choir boy. We remember being terrible at college, and wish we could have a second try. We talk working styles, and where we could do better. John brings up some important feedback from recent retros about how we work. John is writing a game in React! Daniel still insists that John start playing Deadlock. 

]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:04:02 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3657 John used to be a choir boy. We remember being terrible at college, and wish we could have a second try. We talk working styles, and where we could do better. John brings up some important feedback from recent retros about how we work. John is writing a game in React! Daniel still insists that John start playing Deadlock. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 42: Celebrating $1M in revenue! 42 42 42: Celebrating $1M in revenue! full 78b42f16-9f5d-4d9d-92ea-bfb1b9b178bc https://share.transistor.fm/s/5e90feb4 (sorry for the terrible quality. SOMEONE forgot to record. We'll let you guess who). 

How to write a good email. John went to the Texas State Fair. We hit $1M in revenue, and Daniel bought John a gift. We touch briefly on the Wordpress drama. Joker 2 looks awful but fun. Finally, we review OKRs.

]]> (sorry for the terrible quality. SOMEONE forgot to record. We'll let you guess who). 

How to write a good email. John went to the Texas State Fair. We hit $1M in revenue, and Daniel bought John a gift. We touch briefly on the Wordpress drama. Joker 2 looks awful but fun. Finally, we review OKRs.

]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:48:56 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3763 (sorry for the terrible quality. SOMEONE forgot to record. We'll let you guess who). 

How to write a good email. John went to the Texas State Fair. We hit $1M in revenue, and Daniel bought John a gift. We touch briefly on the Wordpress drama. Joker 2 looks awful but fun. Finally, we review OKRs.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 41: Un-profitable software that helps people 41 41 41: Un-profitable software that helps people full aac800a2-877d-4b96-be06-f18fce3351fb https://share.transistor.fm/s/f710b4f4 Daniel survived a terrifying storm. We are building software to support Asheville. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We're in sales mode for Papercuts. We are making slow progress getting better at client communication. John watched THREE good movies.

]]> Daniel survived a terrifying storm. We are building software to support Asheville. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We're in sales mode for Papercuts. We are making slow progress getting better at client communication. John watched THREE good movies.

]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:49:14 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3478 Daniel survived a terrifying storm. We are building software to support Asheville. John is speaking at Laracon EU! We're in sales mode for Papercuts. We are making slow progress getting better at client communication. John watched THREE good movies.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 40: Pricing saga (part 3) 40 40 40: Pricing saga (part 3) full 3d89409c-36c3-4cdd-9b4c-939330545fe2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/93343694 We've changed our pricing model again to solve a couple important problems. So far it is going great. We also talk about movies and games. It's an un-serious podcast!

]]> We've changed our pricing model again to solve a couple important problems. So far it is going great. We also talk about movies and games. It's an un-serious podcast!

]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:02:51 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2541 We've changed our pricing model again to solve a couple important problems. So far it is going great. We also talk about movies and games. It's an un-serious podcast!

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 39: Aaron said to put it out no matter what 39 39 39: Aaron said to put it out no matter what full 74f19116-a471-4a72-b23b-d804f241d9b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4f010eed Daniel's talk is out! Go watch it. We plan out future talks and screencasts. John talks about game projects he has in the works, and pushing Verbs to new levels of complexity. We talk about the killer future feature of Verbs: analytics.

]]> Daniel's talk is out! Go watch it. We plan out future talks and screencasts. John talks about game projects he has in the works, and pushing Verbs to new levels of complexity. We talk about the killer future feature of Verbs: analytics.

]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:52:20 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2986 Daniel's talk is out! Go watch it. We plan out future talks and screencasts. John talks about game projects he has in the works, and pushing Verbs to new levels of complexity. We talk about the killer future feature of Verbs: analytics.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 38: Laracon recap 38 38 38: Laracon recap full 9b090fd1-828b-4a70-a04c-5882c70f4b63 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0bc2b63c We share all the gory details about shipping (and almost failing to ship) our game and Laracon talk. Here is a video of the fun we had. And here's a full blog post about it. We also go deep on game design, jiu jitsu, and more. This is an unserious episode.

]]> We share all the gory details about shipping (and almost failing to ship) our game and Laracon talk. Here is a video of the fun we had. And here's a full blog post about it. We also go deep on game design, jiu jitsu, and more. This is an unserious episode.

]]> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:56:03 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4003 We share all the gory details about shipping (and almost failing to ship) our game and Laracon talk. Here is a video of the fun we had. And here's a full blog post about it. We also go deep on game design, jiu jitsu, and more. This is an unserious episode.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 37: International man of mischief 37 37 37: International man of mischief full 3dc6d895-c5c8-4193-9eb2-800ce82b0092 https://share.transistor.fm/s/70734a43 We plan the rest of our 2024 goals / OKRs. We're making t-shirts. We're shilling Verbs. John has intrusive thoughts and a therapy moment. There's a little something for everyone in here.

]]> We plan the rest of our 2024 goals / OKRs. We're making t-shirts. We're shilling Verbs. John has intrusive thoughts and a therapy moment. There's a little something for everyone in here.

]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:14:42 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3719 We plan the rest of our 2024 goals / OKRs. We're making t-shirts. We're shilling Verbs. John has intrusive thoughts and a therapy moment. There's a little something for everyone in here.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 36: Thunk Pyramid Scheme (the super secret Laracon project) 36 36 36: Thunk Pyramid Scheme (the super secret Laracon project) full 25c408df-7027-452a-86b4-03178726e790 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0c349ce4 We built a game for Laracon, and it rules. Also, John released his board game Colossi! Finally, we get started on our OKRs for the second half of the year.

]]> We built a game for Laracon, and it rules. Also, John released his board game Colossi! Finally, we get started on our OKRs for the second half of the year.

]]> Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:37:40 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2670 We built a game for Laracon, and it rules. Also, John released his board game Colossi! Finally, we get started on our OKRs for the second half of the year.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 35: The problems that Papercuts solves 35 35 35: The problems that Papercuts solves full d2fddced-375f-418c-9872-9d221d6572ef https://share.transistor.fm/s/f2ba609a John did a bunch of Papercuts interviews, and now has a way clearer sense of what problem we're solving. He talks about his process as a PM. And we talk through all the problems we won't solve with Papercuts. At least not yet.

]]> John did a bunch of Papercuts interviews, and now has a way clearer sense of what problem we're solving. He talks about his process as a PM. And we talk through all the problems we won't solve with Papercuts. At least not yet.

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:54:40 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3181 John did a bunch of Papercuts interviews, and now has a way clearer sense of what problem we're solving. He talks about his process as a PM. And we talk through all the problems we won't solve with Papercuts. At least not yet.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 34: Go to papercuts.io 34 34 34: Go to papercuts.io full 15ecf74e-dc80-4a95-9a0c-65b1c7fe8ad8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/450fb3c6 Our new Saas app Papercuts.io is up, and it is in Alpha testing. If it sounds useful to you, go sign up and we'll reach out shortly! We also talk about the future of where this app might go. If you work at an agency or run an agency, please reach out to john@thunk.dev. We want to talk.

]]> Our new Saas app Papercuts.io is up, and it is in Alpha testing. If it sounds useful to you, go sign up and we'll reach out shortly! We also talk about the future of where this app might go. If you work at an agency or run an agency, please reach out to john@thunk.dev. We want to talk.

]]> Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:08:45 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2989 Our new Saas app Papercuts.io is up, and it is in Alpha testing. If it sounds useful to you, go sign up and we'll reach out shortly! We also talk about the future of where this app might go. If you work at an agency or run an agency, please reach out to john@thunk.dev. We want to talk.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 33: This too shall pass 33 33 33: This too shall pass full 3db54143-f1d2-4d50-854b-3451fead4204 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a2b9f498 We accidentally talk about movies for 15 minutes. Then we talk about calmly riding the waves when bad things happen (a bad thing happened). Finally, we review all of our OKRs from the first half of the year. Spoiler: we made good money, and made ourselves unhappy doing it.

]]> We accidentally talk about movies for 15 minutes. Then we talk about calmly riding the waves when bad things happen (a bad thing happened). Finally, we review all of our OKRs from the first half of the year. Spoiler: we made good money, and made ourselves unhappy doing it.

]]> Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:49:20 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3928 We accidentally talk about movies for 15 minutes. Then we talk about calmly riding the waves when bad things happen (a bad thing happened). Finally, we review all of our OKRs from the first half of the year. Spoiler: we made good money, and made ourselves unhappy doing it.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 32: Monday morning scrutiny 32 32 32: Monday morning scrutiny full 330bfa03-a80a-42ad-bf99-35fae3e6b9fb https://share.transistor.fm/s/dde77e6b We took some time off. Papercuts is good now. Verbs is still good. We had an uncomfortable moment with a client, and learned some good things from it. Then Daniel discovers we might owe the state of New York $11,000.

]]> We took some time off. Papercuts is good now. Verbs is still good. We had an uncomfortable moment with a client, and learned some good things from it. Then Daniel discovers we might owe the state of New York $11,000.

]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:36:14 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3285 We took some time off. Papercuts is good now. Verbs is still good. We had an uncomfortable moment with a client, and learned some good things from it. Then Daniel discovers we might owe the state of New York $11,000.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 31: Buying our time back 31 31 31: Buying our time back full 9fdb9389-1a07-4f2f-946e-e3f131187b55 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bf52e845 We're working fewer client days, but it costs us a lot of money to do that. So what are we getting for that money? We make a plan for what we can do with this extra time to invest in the future.

]]> We're working fewer client days, but it costs us a lot of money to do that. So what are we getting for that money? We make a plan for what we can do with this extra time to invest in the future.

]]> Mon, 27 May 2024 17:40:16 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2532 We're working fewer client days, but it costs us a lot of money to do that. So what are we getting for that money? We make a plan for what we can do with this extra time to invest in the future.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 30: Strategy brainstorm (empaneling Luke Roush) 30 30 30: Strategy brainstorm (empaneling Luke Roush) full 9a8d0f5b-c2e3-4def-a3c8-714eadfd55ca https://share.transistor.fm/s/338702d4 Luke Roush is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Sovereign's Capital. John worked for Luke for 4 years. If John ever says anything smart, there's a 40% chance he's just quoting Luke without giving him credit. Luke loves nothing more than brainstorming how to make a business tick.

Apologies for the sound quality, we had a little snafu. 

]]> Luke Roush is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Sovereign's Capital. John worked for Luke for 4 years. If John ever says anything smart, there's a 40% chance he's just quoting Luke without giving him credit. Luke loves nothing more than brainstorming how to make a business tick.

Apologies for the sound quality, we had a little snafu. 

]]> Mon, 20 May 2024 22:46:16 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3425 Luke Roush is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Sovereign's Capital. John worked for Luke for 4 years. If John ever says anything smart, there's a 40% chance he's just quoting Luke without giving him credit. Luke loves nothing more than brainstorming how to make a business tick.

Apologies for the sound quality, we had a little snafu. 

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 29: Awkward money conversation 29 29 29: Awkward money conversation full d65d262d-2d24-4294-bf4d-674b7aac7058 https://share.transistor.fm/s/92e34b83 It's beef season. We have figured out how to not have Daniel on every client, and which roles we play with each client. Then we have a fun conversation about how we spend money, how much we save for the future, and when to take money out of the company. This is a very real peak behind the curtain, and we're slightly awkward. Build in public.

]]> It's beef season. We have figured out how to not have Daniel on every client, and which roles we play with each client. Then we have a fun conversation about how we spend money, how much we save for the future, and when to take money out of the company. This is a very real peak behind the curtain, and we're slightly awkward. Build in public.

]]> Mon, 06 May 2024 16:50:12 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4071 It's beef season. We have figured out how to not have Daniel on every client, and which roles we play with each client. Then we have a fun conversation about how we spend money, how much we save for the future, and when to take money out of the company. This is a very real peak behind the curtain, and we're slightly awkward. Build in public.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 28: Short term profit vs. long term strategy 28 28 28: Short term profit vs. long term strategy full 68053088-85e5-4a9e-8c74-333c0ee3f8af https://share.transistor.fm/s/861929c6 Business is great. But that means Daniel doesn't have time to do strategic stuff. John is pulling back on client hours to figure out how to do outbound sales. We plan out an onsite (or is it offsite?). Finally, we review our OKRs.

]]> Business is great. But that means Daniel doesn't have time to do strategic stuff. John is pulling back on client hours to figure out how to do outbound sales. We plan out an onsite (or is it offsite?). Finally, we review our OKRs.

]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:23:46 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2589 Business is great. But that means Daniel doesn't have time to do strategic stuff. John is pulling back on client hours to figure out how to do outbound sales. We plan out an onsite (or is it offsite?). Finally, we review our OKRs.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 27: Silly Season (empaneling Steve Smallman) 27 27 27: Silly Season (empaneling Steve Smallman) full 269e15ac-82b2-48c9-8a34-54b60a31608d https://share.transistor.fm/s/4e2e32b9 Steve is the founder of a well established creative agency called fifteen4. Daniel used to work there! We asked Steve about how you do planning (especially with subcontractors) when you have lumpy sales cycles, and no predictable sales process. But he ended up giving us some free consulting on branding, positioning, and strategy for the target customers we want.

]]> Steve is the founder of a well established creative agency called fifteen4. Daniel used to work there! We asked Steve about how you do planning (especially with subcontractors) when you have lumpy sales cycles, and no predictable sales process. But he ended up giving us some free consulting on branding, positioning, and strategy for the target customers we want.

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:11:19 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3505 Steve is the founder of a well established creative agency called fifteen4. Daniel used to work there! We asked Steve about how you do planning (especially with subcontractors) when you have lumpy sales cycles, and no predictable sales process. But he ended up giving us some free consulting on branding, positioning, and strategy for the target customers we want.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 26: The leads are weak? YOU'RE weak! 26 26 26: The leads are weak? YOU'RE weak! full f03687d2-ab51-41fe-ba5d-bef1d8adb8cb https://share.transistor.fm/s/fdbe83f6 The sales strategy worked! Great leads are pouring in, and we're closing new business. We talk about our strategy on sales calls, and disqualifying ourselves quickly from the wrong kinds of leads. Also we are sleepy.

]]> The sales strategy worked! Great leads are pouring in, and we're closing new business. We talk about our strategy on sales calls, and disqualifying ourselves quickly from the wrong kinds of leads. Also we are sleepy.

]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:46:36 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2308 The sales strategy worked! Great leads are pouring in, and we're closing new business. We talk about our strategy on sales calls, and disqualifying ourselves quickly from the wrong kinds of leads. Also we are sleepy.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 25: ❤️ Devs seeking new obsession ❤️ 25 25 25: ❤️ Devs seeking new obsession ❤️ full c6c2cbd9-cc9e-454d-bd68-b0ca8ba2b366 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4cd89f66 We want to find a long term partner, and we want your help. Then things come completely off the rails and we stop talking about business. John rants about healthcare "markets", we discuss Kendrick vs. J. Cole beef, and recommend tv shows.

]]> We want to find a long term partner, and we want your help. Then things come completely off the rails and we stop talking about business. John rants about healthcare "markets", we discuss Kendrick vs. J. Cole beef, and recommend tv shows.

]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:08:38 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2534 We want to find a long term partner, and we want your help. Then things come completely off the rails and we stop talking about business. John rants about healthcare "markets", we discuss Kendrick vs. J. Cole beef, and recommend tv shows.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 24: Cohort 2™ (working title) 24 24 24: Cohort 2™ (working title) full 8a5be849-4dc2-4325-80f9-3a80fd47d4ba https://share.transistor.fm/s/ab5df6fb We are looking for 2 big, gnarly, interesting projects to sink our teeth into over the next 6 months. And we want your help finding them. We also recap all of the smart little things we've learned from retrospectives in the last couple months.

]]> We are looking for 2 big, gnarly, interesting projects to sink our teeth into over the next 6 months. And we want your help finding them. We also recap all of the smart little things we've learned from retrospectives in the last couple months.

]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:26:14 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3114 We are looking for 2 big, gnarly, interesting projects to sink our teeth into over the next 6 months. And we want your help finding them. We also recap all of the smart little things we've learned from retrospectives in the last couple months.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 23: SaaS opportunity knocks again 23 23 23: SaaS opportunity knocks again full 1b2c206c-521c-4ab7-b90f-1aa3b0fb31d7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/62358906 We have an opportunity to do something big, difficult, and pretty different from our other clients. John went on the Over Engineered podcast to talk about whether sprints and estimates matter. We review our OKRs.

]]> We have an opportunity to do something big, difficult, and pretty different from our other clients. John went on the Over Engineered podcast to talk about whether sprints and estimates matter. We review our OKRs.

]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:45:34 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2842 We have an opportunity to do something big, difficult, and pretty different from our other clients. John went on the Over Engineered podcast to talk about whether sprints and estimates matter. We review our OKRs.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 22: Mentees keep becoming clients 22 22 22: Mentees keep becoming clients full 87e1a99c-2852-46fe-a428-dfeaefc245ab https://share.transistor.fm/s/108b8693 Daniel and John are out on the speaker circuit. John wants to give more developer talks. We want to mentor more programmers, because that has been an amazing source of clients. And we might convince our friend to become a Laravel dev.

]]> Daniel and John are out on the speaker circuit. John wants to give more developer talks. We want to mentor more programmers, because that has been an amazing source of clients. And we might convince our friend to become a Laravel dev.

]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:55:34 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2502 Daniel and John are out on the speaker circuit. John wants to give more developer talks. We want to mentor more programmers, because that has been an amazing source of clients. And we might convince our friend to become a Laravel dev.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 21: Our new pricing model (empaneling Joel Clermont) 21 21 21: Our new pricing model (empaneling Joel Clermont) full 84dd345f-ef96-472a-a6dc-5842f9402e01 https://share.transistor.fm/s/51c37e96 Joel Clermont joins us for a discussion about our pricing model. Like us, he has tried a lot of models, and walked away from most of them. He gives us feedback on our latest idea.

]]> Joel Clermont joins us for a discussion about our pricing model. Like us, he has tried a lot of models, and walked away from most of them. He gives us feedback on our latest idea.

]]> Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:40:24 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4027 Joel Clermont joins us for a discussion about our pricing model. Like us, he has tried a lot of models, and walked away from most of them. He gives us feedback on our latest idea.

]]> software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No 20: The FULL Stack Developer 20 20 20: The FULL Stack Developer full 6d899195-2d70-4155-8770-8f3117b68745 https://share.transistor.fm/s/90044c3c
  • Papercuts progress. 
  • Daniel spent some time with the dutch. 
  • Getting busy and landing business. 
  • John give talks, Daniel gives talks. 
  • Retro-driven company. 
    • ]]>
  • Papercuts progress. 
  • Daniel spent some time with the dutch. 
  • Getting busy and landing business. 
  • John give talks, Daniel gives talks. 
  • Retro-driven company. 
    • ]]>     Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:59:18 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2714
  • Papercuts progress. 
  • Daniel spent some time with the dutch. 
  • Getting busy and landing business. 
  • John give talks, Daniel gives talks. 
  • Retro-driven company. 
    • ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     19: We're building a SaaS app 19 19 19: We're building a SaaS app full 90167828-0ab7-4593-a2e6-1d1b5e133eff https://share.transistor.fm/s/b2482c0d Thunk is building a SaaS app. We talk about the plan, where the idea came from, and how it'll work. We also brainstorm ideas for the future. 

    ]]>     Thunk is building a SaaS app. We talk about the plan, where the idea came from, and how it'll work. We also brainstorm ideas for the future. 

    ]]>     Tue, 23 Jan 2024 09:37:18 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2981 Thunk is building a SaaS app. We talk about the plan, where the idea came from, and how it'll work. We also brainstorm ideas for the future. 

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     18: Setting fewer, better goals for 2024 18 18 18: Setting fewer, better goals for 2024 full 0ba3b8cb-38fc-411b-93e7-27f88fb4eafc https://share.transistor.fm/s/435b9996 We review our 2023 goals, and set better goals for 2024. 

    ]]>     We review our 2023 goals, and set better goals for 2024. 

    ]]>     Thu, 11 Jan 2024 17:23:33 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4236 We review our 2023 goals, and set better goals for 2024. 

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     17: Empanelling Allison Lacker 17 17 17: Empanelling Allison Lacker full 7f23d7ef-cf5a-4a6b-aa52-ad6185631f8d https://share.transistor.fm/s/46aa2217 Allison is a former colleague of John's, and we're thrilled to have her on the panel of mentors. She has been a developer, product manager, and executive. She has a lot of good perspective on how developers can think more like PMs, and why that matters. We talk processes, metrics, building teams, living with legacy code, and a lot more.

    ]]>     Allison is a former colleague of John's, and we're thrilled to have her on the panel of mentors. She has been a developer, product manager, and executive. She has a lot of good perspective on how developers can think more like PMs, and why that matters. We talk processes, metrics, building teams, living with legacy code, and a lot more.

    ]]>     Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:50:03 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4986 Allison is a former colleague of John's, and we're thrilled to have her on the panel of mentors. She has been a developer, product manager, and executive. She has a lot of good perspective on how developers can think more like PMs, and why that matters. We talk processes, metrics, building teams, living with legacy code, and a lot more.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     16: Brainstorming our first SaaS product 16 16 16: Brainstorming our first SaaS product full 2d71a914-682f-48be-af74-8e19c2a8dc95 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c783406f Also: is programming art or science? John finds reading painful. Daniel finds small to-dos painful. Why are we paying so many Quickbooks fees? The 2024 budget.

    ]]>     Also: is programming art or science? John finds reading painful. Daniel finds small to-dos painful. Why are we paying so many Quickbooks fees? The 2024 budget.

    ]]>     Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:51:12 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4156 Also: is programming art or science? John finds reading painful. Daniel finds small to-dos painful. Why are we paying so many Quickbooks fees? The 2024 budget.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     15: What kind of clients we do (and don't) want 15 15 15: What kind of clients we do (and don't) want full 8ccdc1c4-c091-47d3-a40d-50c69f3199b8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b94939f5 We reflect on a problem with a client. Then we discuss the importance of learning new patterns, adopting new tools, and sticking to conventions.

    ]]>     We reflect on a problem with a client. Then we discuss the importance of learning new patterns, adopting new tools, and sticking to conventions.

    ]]>     Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:13:22 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3486 We reflect on a problem with a client. Then we discuss the importance of learning new patterns, adopting new tools, and sticking to conventions.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     14: Monday morning baseball 14 14 14: Monday morning baseball full bf99fdd8-c0cb-4508-9e6f-06e5280b1fa5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f59a1bde After a scheduling snafu, we needed to use our recording slot to have our weekly check-in with Jacob. This is our regular roundup of clients, plus some pleasantries and goofs.

    ]]>     After a scheduling snafu, we needed to use our recording slot to have our weekly check-in with Jacob. This is our regular roundup of clients, plus some pleasantries and goofs.

    ]]>     Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:29:56 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3091 After a scheduling snafu, we needed to use our recording slot to have our weekly check-in with Jacob. This is our regular roundup of clients, plus some pleasantries and goofs.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     13: Launching Verbs at Laracon AU 13 13 13: Launching Verbs at Laracon AU full 7593930c-c02c-4380-8000-440b8a6bf782 https://share.transistor.fm/s/59593962 Daniel is jetlagged after returning from Sydney, where he launched Verbs at Laracon AU.

    We talk about the launch, talk about John's Kickstarter for Colossi, and do a quick catchup on our OKRs.

    ]]>     Daniel is jetlagged after returning from Sydney, where he launched Verbs at Laracon AU.

    We talk about the launch, talk about John's Kickstarter for Colossi, and do a quick catchup on our OKRs.

    ]]>     Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:58:10 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3218 Daniel is jetlagged after returning from Sydney, where he launched Verbs at Laracon AU.

    We talk about the launch, talk about John's Kickstarter for Colossi, and do a quick catchup on our OKRs.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     12: Colossi + Verbs (it's shill day) 12 12 12: Colossi + Verbs (it's shill day) full 77865d8a-269c-430f-a486-3ba2aec35687 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fa39ccc4 You can buy John's game on Kickstarter right now! 

    Daniel's new event sourcing package Verbs is nearly complete, and John loves it. Join us as we spend 40 minutes gassing each other up.

    ]]>     You can buy John's game on Kickstarter right now! 

    Daniel's new event sourcing package Verbs is nearly complete, and John loves it. Join us as we spend 40 minutes gassing each other up.

    ]]>     Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:56:21 -0500 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2395 You can buy John's game on Kickstarter right now! 

    Daniel's new event sourcing package Verbs is nearly complete, and John loves it. Join us as we spend 40 minutes gassing each other up.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     11: Trust issues 11 11 11: Trust issues full efef1f3e-7b70-44cb-b39c-055bd320e4e9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d4aa0eb4 We do some bits. We talk about good practices while pair programming. Then we wonder if product development processes primarily exist to compensate for trust issues. High trust environments are the only ones we want to work in.

    ]]>     We do some bits. We talk about good practices while pair programming. Then we wonder if product development processes primarily exist to compensate for trust issues. High trust environments are the only ones we want to work in.

    ]]>     Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:49:28 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2925 We do some bits. We talk about good practices while pair programming. Then we wonder if product development processes primarily exist to compensate for trust issues. High trust environments are the only ones we want to work in.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     10: Daniel is Going to Laracon AU! 10 10 10: Daniel is Going to Laracon AU! full 9e32e566-72eb-4db8-9e84-642899f1287a https://share.transistor.fm/s/fad3e59c
  • John is tanking a lot of bureaucracy
  • Daniel is writing a LOT of code
  • Daniel is going to Laracon Australia
  • We discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgV6M1LyfNY
    • ]]>
  • John is tanking a lot of bureaucracy
  • Daniel is writing a LOT of code
  • Daniel is going to Laracon Australia
  • We discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgV6M1LyfNY
    • ]]>     Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:58:56 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3179
  • John is tanking a lot of bureaucracy
  • Daniel is writing a LOT of code
  • Daniel is going to Laracon Australia
  • We discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgV6M1LyfNY
    • ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     9: The Dawn of The Pricing Saga 9 9 9: The Dawn of The Pricing Saga full 3ec8a63a-b934-4779-ae86-5237fceff998 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e955c4c According to ChatGPT we discussed:

    • Mentoring and meetings
    • Age discussion
    • Product management
    • Splitting time between two companies
    • Home inspector conference in Atlantic City
    • Billing strategies
    • Different pricing models (hourly, project-based, retainer)
    • Composite team approach (offering product management, engineering, design)
    • Value proposition for small companies
    • Communicating and marketing the value proposition for Sunk
    ]]>     According to ChatGPT we discussed:

    • Mentoring and meetings
    • Age discussion
    • Product management
    • Splitting time between two companies
    • Home inspector conference in Atlantic City
    • Billing strategies
    • Different pricing models (hourly, project-based, retainer)
    • Composite team approach (offering product management, engineering, design)
    • Value proposition for small companies
    • Communicating and marketing the value proposition for Sunk
    ]]>     Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:08:21 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2674 According to ChatGPT we discussed:

    • Mentoring and meetings
    • Age discussion
    • Product management
    • Splitting time between two companies
    • Home inspector conference in Atlantic City
    • Billing strategies
    • Different pricing models (hourly, project-based, retainer)
    • Composite team approach (offering product management, engineering, design)
    • Value proposition for small companies
    • Communicating and marketing the value proposition for Sunk
    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     8: Progress! 8 8 8: Progress! full 74107ef7-38e2-43b3-a937-0324c76236ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/a2d60f1b We catch up as usual, and check in on the state of all our goals.

    ]]>     We catch up as usual, and check in on the state of all our goals.

    ]]>     Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:26:46 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2814 We catch up as usual, and check in on the state of all our goals.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     7: Our Great Shame 7 7 7: Our Great Shame full 58e3d327-4aee-439e-96e2-a99fc87d1eba https://share.transistor.fm/s/8dcb4e86 On this episode we dig deep and do a post-mortem on a messy wrap-up to a client engagement.
    Our key takeaways:

    • Overcommunicate
    • Overcommunicate some more
    ]]>     On this episode we dig deep and do a post-mortem on a messy wrap-up to a client engagement.
    Our key takeaways:

    • Overcommunicate
    • Overcommunicate some more
    ]]>     Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:51:07 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3084 On this episode we dig deep and do a post-mortem on a messy wrap-up to a client engagement.
    Our key takeaways:

    • Overcommunicate
    • Overcommunicate some more
    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     6: How Thunk Will Die 6 6 6: How Thunk Will Die full 7ccc6568-7659-4b1a-8f6b-5bd4277e2011 https://share.transistor.fm/s/337b089e This episode is late because of an interesting process breakdown.

    • Verbs Vacation
    • A New "vision-mission-value"
    • The Pre-Mortem
    ]]>     This episode is late because of an interesting process breakdown.

    • Verbs Vacation
    • A New "vision-mission-value"
    • The Pre-Mortem
    ]]>     Sun, 24 Sep 2023 06:37:00 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2674 This episode is late because of an interesting process breakdown.

    • Verbs Vacation
    • A New "vision-mission-value"
    • The Pre-Mortem
    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     5: Empanelling Aaron Francis 5 5 5: Empanelling Aaron Francis full cc43e7ae-b77e-4ed3-b08d-ad614dfb641a https://share.transistor.fm/s/291305cc Aaron Francis (@aarondfrancis) officially joins Thunk's panel of mentors! Aaron gives John feedback on his blogs, and provides LOADS of good ideas for how to improve it and grow the audience. 

    ]]>     Aaron Francis (@aarondfrancis) officially joins Thunk's panel of mentors! Aaron gives John feedback on his blogs, and provides LOADS of good ideas for how to improve it and grow the audience. 

    ]]>     Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:30:33 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3643 Aaron Francis (@aarondfrancis) officially joins Thunk's panel of mentors! Aaron gives John feedback on his blogs, and provides LOADS of good ideas for how to improve it and grow the audience. 

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     4: Who Are Your Guys? 4 4 4: Who Are Your Guys? full d8ac9e58-ddfb-4758-8df7-c3dfaf9bdf07 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ba441e9f Who are our guys?

    We run through a list of potential panelists for our panel of mentors and discuss what it would event look like to empanel them.

    ]]>     Who are our guys?

    We run through a list of potential panelists for our panel of mentors and discuss what it would event look like to empanel them.

    ]]>     Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:33:26 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 3633 Who are our guys?

    We run through a list of potential panelists for our panel of mentors and discuss what it would event look like to empanel them.

    ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     3: The Sales Funnel is Working 3 3 3: The Sales Funnel is Working full d81a8194-1b22-4e10-a175-0b3a544892c7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0ba8e547
  • John's game Colossi is almost ready
  • The sales funnel is working
  • Max is having a hard one
  • We've made progress on our goals
  • This is not the episode about hiring a mentor
    • ]]>
  • John's game Colossi is almost ready
  • The sales funnel is working
  • Max is having a hard one
  • We've made progress on our goals
  • This is not the episode about hiring a mentor
    • ]]>     Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:56:20 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 2552
  • John's game Colossi is almost ready
  • The sales funnel is working
  • Max is having a hard one
  • We've made progress on our goals
  • This is not the episode about hiring a mentor
    • ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     2: Vision, Mission, Values 2 2 2: Vision, Mission, Values full f73e5437-a9fc-47bd-99cb-3a0ed24157ed https://share.transistor.fm/s/99d385bd
  • We have glowing feedback for each other
  • Daniel's blog feedback made the blog a lot better
  • Getting creative with business development tactics
  • We discuss the company's Vision, Mission, and Values
    • ]]>
  • We have glowing feedback for each other
  • Daniel's blog feedback made the blog a lot better
  • Getting creative with business development tactics
  • We discuss the company's Vision, Mission, and Values
    • ]]>     Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:07:17 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4034
  • We have glowing feedback for each other
  • Daniel's blog feedback made the blog a lot better
  • Getting creative with business development tactics
  • We discuss the company's Vision, Mission, and Values
    • ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No     1: The FG Scale 1 1 1: The FG Scale full 117e723c-9d63-4e69-b4d3-933b6329cb00 https://share.transistor.fm/s/670a34e3
  • Daniel has feedback on John's blog posts. 
  • Why do feedback? Why is it so painful? 
  • The "FG Scale" 
  • Does Jacob feel empowered to give us feedback? 
  • Should we keep our docs in Slab? 
  • Why set goals? What are OKRs? 
  • In the back half of the episode, we get super detailed deciding what our goals are for the rest of 2024. 


    • ]]>
  • Daniel has feedback on John's blog posts. 
  • Why do feedback? Why is it so painful? 
  • The "FG Scale" 
  • Does Jacob feel empowered to give us feedback? 
  • Should we keep our docs in Slab? 
  • Why set goals? What are OKRs? 
  • In the back half of the episode, we get super detailed deciding what our goals are for the rest of 2024. 


    • ]]>     Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:35:48 -0400 Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler Daniel Coulbourne & John Drexler 4511
  • Daniel has feedback on John's blog posts. 
  • Why do feedback? Why is it so painful? 
  • The "FG Scale" 
  • Does Jacob feel empowered to give us feedback? 
  • Should we keep our docs in Slab? 
  • Why set goals? What are OKRs? 
  • In the back half of the episode, we get super detailed deciding what our goals are for the rest of 2024. 


    • ]]>     software, agency, business, build in public, tech, laravel No Daniel Coulbourne John Rudolph Drexler